TLA Talks: Update from the Capital & the Courthouse
The 88th Texas Legislative Session ended in May 2023, and traditionally the interim (18 months between end of one session and beginning of the next) is fairly quiet. That was not the case this year. When legislators did not accomplish several of the Governor’s primary goals during the regular session, they were called back into three special sessions between June and December to address issues including COVID-19 vaccine mandates, boarder security, and vouchers. And, amid much confusion about how HB 900, the R.E.A.D.E.R. Act would be implemented, a coalition of publishers, book sellers, independent bookstores, and authors, filed a lawsuit in the Federal Court claiming that the new law violates the First Amendment. Presenters will share what all of this means for 2024, the 2025 Texas Legislative Session, and how we can continue to advocate for libraries.
When: January 23; 2024, 3PM- 4:00PM
Presenters: Libby Holtman, TLA Legislative Committee Chair
Gloria Meraz, State Librarian and
Director, Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Marty De Leon and MJ Nicchio, Escamilla & Poneck, LLP
Wendy Woodland, Texas Library Association